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06 Aug 2017, 08:12

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Hi,I have been preparing for GMAT for the last 2 months. I have given 4 Mock CATS. My Score is always around 610.I always solve the problems that I got wrong during the exam after I complete the mocks(without looking for official solution or before my analysis). I m able to solve them in 2 minutes but during the tests I m not able to think or solve it clearly. Its same for both PS and Verbal I m good at SC. I had solved most of the 700 + questions in the GMAT Club forums with in 2 minutes. But I m not able to do the same in the Mocks

I tried being calm during the exams but still I m not able to break the jinx.

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To start, there's a significant difference between doing random questions out of a book and facing a full, adaptive practice CAT in one sitting. In addition, you should be spending closer to 1 minute on a typical SC (NOT 2 minutes). If you typically spend 1.5 to 2 minutes on an SC, then THAT is a problem that would significantly impact your overall pacing and ability to score at a high level in the Verbal section. Based on what you have described so far, it's possible that "your way" of approaching GMAT prompts is the "long way" - and to score significantly higher, you will have to change the way you "see" (and respond to) this Test.

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:1) What study materials have you used so far?2) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?

Goals:3) What is your goal score?4) When are you planning to take the GMAT?5) When are you planning to apply to Business School?6) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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06 Aug 2017, 11:52

EMPOWERgmatRichC wrote:

Hi HariharanIyeer0,

To start, there's a significant difference between doing random questions out of a book and facing a full, adaptive practice CAT in one sitting. In addition, you should be spending closer to 1 minute on a typical SC (NOT 2 minutes). If you typically spend 1.5 to 2 minutes on an SC, then THAT is a problem that would significantly impact your overall pacing and ability to score at a high level in the Verbal section. Based on what you have described so far, it's possible that "your way" of approaching GMAT prompts is the "long way" - and to score significantly higher, you will have to change the way you "see" (and respond to) this Test.

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:1) What study materials have you used so far?2) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?

Goals:3) What is your goal score?4) When are you planning to take the GMAT?5) When are you planning to apply to Business School?6) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,Rich

Hi Rich,Thanks for the reply ,

I don't have a problem with my speed on Verbal - I always finish verbal on time or even early I miss the last 2 or 3 problems on Quant - but I think I get stuck on simple calculation - like multiplication or division which doesn't happen when I solve the problem after the exams. Outside the exam , I m able to solve it without any hurdle I time the problems after the exam and I still finish it within 2 mins

3) What is your goal score? : 700 to 720 4) When are you planning to take the GMAT? Mid September 5) When are you planning to apply to Business School? October / Nov 6) What Schools are you planning to apply to? Cornell - Tech MBA

I also find that I have better accuracy on the 700 - 800 questions and 500 - 600 questions. 600 to 700 is the spoiler.

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GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, your 4 CAT score results show that you essentially performed the same each time (+/- a few points). The consistency in these scores implies that you've gotten 'stuck' at this level - and it will take some significant time and effort to get 'unstuck.' From your post, it's not clear whether you're using a Course of if you're just studying from books, but if you are taking a 'book heavy' approach, then that would help to explain your current situation. Even the best books are limited in what they can teach you; they also can't force you to approach questions in a certain way and their explanations are often one-sided. This is meant to say that you might find it beneficial to invest in some new, non-book study materials.

Given your score goal, you're going to have to make some significant changes to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections - and that work will likely take 2 months (or more) of consistent, guided study, which means that you might need to push back your Test Date.

1) What is the exact application deadline for the Program that you're interested in? What is the NEXT application deadline after the first one?2) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?